Michigan Tech’s Department of Advancement and Alumni Engagement is sad to announce the passing of Darwin Moon ‘79, a member of Michigan Tech’s Alumni Board of Directors. Darwin was engaged in numerous ways with Michigan Tech, serving not only on the Alumni Board but also as a member of the Mechanical Engineering-Engineering Mechanics (ME-EM) External Advisory Board.
Darwin and his wife, Margarita, also supported the research of Professor L. Brad King, the Richard and Elizabeth Henes Endowed Professor (Space Systems) in ME-EM.
“Darwin was a very special Alumni Board member whose passion for Michigan Tech could not be contained. He has left his Husky paw print on our hearts, as well as on the University” says Kristin Kolodge, President of the Alumni Board of Directors.
The full obituary for Darwin follows.
Darwin G. Moon was born to Leslie C. and Betty Lou Moon on May 28, 1957, in Ann Arbor, Michigan. In his youth, Darwin was an active member of the Boy Scouts of America and earned the rank of Eagle Scout, the highest advancement rank in Scouting.
Darwin obtained a Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering from Michigan Technological University, a Master’s Degree in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Michigan, a Master’s Degree in Engineering, Applied Mechanics from California State University at Northridge, and a Doctoral of Philosophy Degree in Engineering Mechanics from Clemson University. He was a member of Michigan Tech’s Alumni Board, the Recognition & Recruitment Committee and the ME-EM External Advisory Board.
Darwin started working at the Air Force Rocket Propulsion Laboratory at Edwards AFB, California in 1980. He went on to work at McDonnell Douglas in Southern California and The Boeing Company for 27 years, most recently in Huntsville, Alabama, where he was a project manager on the Space Launch System.
After a brief battle with pancreatic cancer, Darwin passed away on March 16, 2022. He is survived by his wife of 37 years, Margarita; sister, Karen (Mark) Vylonis; niece, Megan (Sean) Vylonis-Nelson; two nephews, Derrek Vylonis and Corey Vylonis; and numerous cousins. Darwin is predeceased by his parents.
I had the pleasure of working with Darwin in the mid 1990’s at McDonnell Douglas. He was a great engineer and an incredibly nice person. I am very sad to learn of his passing. May he rest in peace.